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Sweden Allows Wolf Hunting Amid Controversy

Sweden Allows Wolf Hunting Amid Controversy Pulse news network
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Stockholm: Sweden has started its annual wolf hunt, approving the culling of 10% of the nation’s wolf population.

This decision has sparked criticism from environmental experts concerned about the impact on wildlife conservation efforts.
Since 2010, Sweden legalized hunting under licensed quotas, a policy repeatedly criticized by environmental organizations.
Conservationists argue the hunt violates European Union laws and risks long-term harm to Sweden’s biodiversity.

EU Regulations Under Scrutiny

Environmental groups have filed complaints with the European Commission, urging intervention against Sweden’s hunting policies.
The Commission has pledged to review whether Sweden’s actions adhere to EU wildlife conservation regulations.
Wolves, once nearly extinct in Sweden during the 1970s, rebounded due to European wildlife protection laws.
Now, Sweden plans to cull 30 wolves from its current population of 375, citing safety concerns.

Rural Concerns Drive Policy

The government justifies the hunt as necessary to protect rural communities and livestock from wolf attacks.
A long-term plan aims to reduce the wolf population from 300 to a minimum of 170 individuals.
However, critics claim rural pressures and lobbying by pro-hunting groups significantly influenced this decision.
Only 3% of Sweden’s population participates in hunting, yet these groups hold significant political sway.

Growing Debate on Wildlife Conservation

Environmentalists argue the decision undermines decades of conservation efforts to restore wolves to northern Europe.
They emphasize wolves play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance within forests and wilderness areas.
Sweden’s move has reignited debates over balancing rural needs with broader environmental protection goals.
The outcome of the European Commission’s review could impact future hunting policies across the EU.

Future Implications

Activists continue pressing the government to reconsider the hunt, urging alternative strategies for resolving human-wildlife conflicts.
The controversy highlights broader questions about wildlife management, conservation ethics, and rural livelihoods in modern Europe.

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